Related News/Archive

He was driving a 1986 Kawasaki motorcycle north on 22nd Street about 9 p.m. Sunday with his girlfriend, Amanda Rae Sarmiento.

As Hood continued onto the Causeway Boulevard bridge, he switched lanes and collided with a scooter, driven by Angel Felipe, that was also headed north.

Sarmiento and Hood were thrown from the motorcycle. A passing driver spotted the wreck and called 911.

Hood later died at Tampa General Hospital. On Sunday, he had turned 41.

Felipe, 54, died at the scene.

Hood's 19-year-old daughter, Ashley, said her father loved motorcycles and was cautious on the road. It was unclear Monday how fast Hood was traveling, but police said it was at a "high rate of speed." The bridge's speed limit is 55 mph.

"We're all kind of in a state of shock," Ashley said. "Especially on his birthday, it's even worse."

Hood lived with Sarmiento, 31, and their 3-year-old son, Dalton.

Sarmiento remained at Tampa General Hospital in critical condition Monday afternoon, police said.

When Ashley arrived at the hospital Sunday night, Sarmiento was taken to the intensive care unit and placed on life support, she said.

Felipe's family couldn't be reached for comment Monday. At the time of the crash, he was driving without a valid license, police said.

For Ashley, the pain of losing a parent is not unknown. Her mother died about three years ago due to pneumonia complications. She and her father had recently visited her mother's grave. "I'm completely heart-broken right now," Ashley said. "It was a freak accident that I wish didn't happen, but it did and lives were taken."

Times researcher John Martin contributed to this report. Laura C. Morel can be reached at lmorel@tampabay.com or (813)226-3386.